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£200 is a bit of a push but I'm open to options around £100-120. I'm right in thinking a lot of wheels don't take a 11 speed cassette?
ogden, as TiRed says,
. A lot of people swop them out straight away, maybe because they think they should, but they are a lot better now than they were a few years ago. I replaced the stock ones on my 2012 Defy Composite with Askium's and they were noticeably better. The standard ones (disc) on my 2016 Advanced Pro feel as good as the Askium's did.There's nothing wrong with the Giant wheels
Just buy that frame before I do! Have a nephew chasing after my small Defy and a spare Sora groupset in the garage. I actually upgraded Teen2's to an alloy Defy 5 frame from Ebay for £160, as I had a very nice carbon fork already.
EDIT: And the reason for suggesting Mavic is that they are 11spd compatible. Aksiums would be in your budget. Put a wanted in the classified. The Elite ES are probably the best used value though.
Out of stock and price range.
Does anyone know if the giant defy had an specific bottom bracket and not a standard one?
interested in this too - and quite close to pushing the button on a Defy several times in the past.
What are thoughts on the Carbon vs Aluminium on the Defy's. Worth stretching to be able to get the carbon variant. Club rides mainly - definitely not racing although I might enter some TT's this summer just as a means of gauging progress......
For £163 you can run Fulcrum 5s
Giant defy. All the road bike a non racing person needs.
theotherjonv - Member
interested in this too - and quite close to pushing the button on a Defy several times in the past.What are thoughts on the Carbon vs Aluminium on the Defy's. Worth stretching to be able to get the carbon variant. Club rides mainly - definitely not racing although I might enter some TT's this summer just as a means of gauging progress....
They do defys in aluxx, aluxx SL and carbon....
Mines a defy 0 aluxx SL. Apparently it has copper mixed in the alloy to allow it to be lighter whilst maintaining stiffness. Has carbon fork/seat post. Is awesome and comfy.
What are thoughts on the Carbon vs Aluminium on the Defy's
have ridden both and deliberated when I bought a Composite 1 in 2012. There wasn't much in it IMO. The Composite felt a little more compliant on a 50 mile test ride. Over the 4 years I had it, I rated it as the most comfy road bike I have ever ridden,and infact have just replaced it with a 2016 model. There are many racier setups out there, but I don't think many that are more comfortable for the average enthusiast
Got that frame set for £240! Now wheels and what specific bits in the 105 groupset
I've been looking at getting a road bike to commute on and build up fitness wonder if anyone has one or opinions on them as I don't know much about them.
Have you thought about getting a single speed? If you don't need gears, you might find an SS a bit more reliable at the budget you've set.
EDIT - Genesis Flyer on sale at about 500 [url= https://www.evanscycles.com/genesis-flyer-2015-singlespeed-bike-EV223069 ]here[/url]
Post some pics up when it's built, we all like a pic 🙂
What are thoughts on the Carbon vs Aluminium on the Defy's
Have one of each (Defy 5 and a Defy Advanced SL). The carbon is a nicer ride. But not THAT much nicer. It is lighter and stiffer (7.2 vs 8 kilos). But the Alloy is 100 miles comfortable - mine has a very light carbon fork and light wheels and Ultegra 6600 - and frankly, a magnificent bike.
Alloy and used bits
[img] 
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Carbon and shiny bits
[img] 
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You be the judge 😉
And the green one is going racing on Sunday on a hilly course with the nice carbon wheels and a 28T cog!
Could anyone with a medium defy or anyone who knows help me? I'm going to buy a 105 groupset tonight but what is the crank length for the medium frame? Is the front mech braze on or band on? And do I need a Short or medium cage mech?
Braze on front mech
Crank length is personal preference
Cage length depends on which chainset and cassette you spec.
Thanks for the reply, how do I choose crank length if Im yet to have a preference lol
Get the shortest ones is probably your best bet. 170mm or less.
Probably best off getting a compact set with 50/34t chainrings and a 28/11 cassette. I think this should work with a short cage mech aswell.
I'd get a medium cage mech so you can run any cassette you like e.g.. up to 32t
I think you'll either want a 172.5 or 170 crank length. What is your leg length?
32t cassettes and medium cage mechs really do spoil the look of a nice road bike 😉
A medium cage mech will probably better with a compact and a 28t cassette, although if you don't cross chain then it doesn't matter.
Infact a 25t cassette will be better if you don't live anywhere too hilly.
I think you'll either want a 172.5 or 170 crank length. What is your leg length?
I don't think leg length matters too much. Just get the short ones; no disadvantages.
Haha, I couldn't give a sh1t what my 32t cassette looks like when I'm blowing out of my arse
Inside leg is 30-31, yeah live in North Yorks moors so quite a few hills.
What would people recommend to go with?
I'd say
50/34 cranks with 170 arms
Medium cage
11-32 cassette (you'll get up anything)
I think this should work with a short cage mech swell.
all shimano short cage road mechs work with 32t cassettes
Forget what someone else thinks about what your bike looks like. if you fancy climbing up Rosedale chimney (30%) your legs might thank you for a 32 cassette. its a cheap swap if you decide you need closer ratios. I've never been bothered by large jumps on the rear cassette.
When I was less fit I had a 36 at the back (trickier and expensive to do on 11 speed ) and I wa glad for it in he pryrenees.
all shimano short cage road mechs work with 32t cassettes
Yeh, but the chain'll be too long so it'll rub on the rear mech when in 34 11/12/13 etc.
30% hills are hard no matter what cassette you have. Don't get the 32; this is meant to be a road bike afterall.......
Yeh, but the chain'll be too long so it'll rub on the rear mech when in 34 11/12/13 etc.
no it doesn't
no it doesn't
🙂
So what's the medium cage mech for then......?
no idea
I've done it, the chain doesn't rub, theres a million videos showing it doesn't rub, just wind in the b-tension and job done
okay, imagine this scenario......
You're in the 50t ring, can you shift all the way into the 32t without any difficulty?
For your first road bike, i'd recommend a compact 50/34 and a rear cassette with a 28. The 11T is really a waste of time, even with compact gearing. Much better to have closer spacing. 12-28 would be my choice. 12-32 if it is really hilly.
Crank length won't matter to be honest. Medium comes with 172.5 by default. Shorter mat help you spin a little more easily up those hills, but do not fret over it. I ride 165 fixed and don't notice the change. And that's a hundred miles a week on that length, then swap for racing. Really can't tell!
Since it's your first road bike, i'd also highly recommend the Elite cuisi gel bottle cages. The plastic ones always look rubbish after a while and destroy your bottles. You don't have the budget for Arundel carbon cages.
that green one looks well smart TiRed ! Maybe I won't get the 7.5mm with spacers lopped off the top of the steerer on mine.... 🙂
Shimano 105 5800 Groupset
172.5mm-50x34-11-28 Black
or
Shimano 105 5800 Groupset
172.5mm-50x34-11-32 Black
Which one ?
Both £280 at wiggle so I could save £20 getting them there
Ti Red I actually have a carbon fibre boardman bottle cage from my old mountain bike i could use....If i scrape boardman off lol
If i scrape boardman off lol
Yeh who wants the name of an Olympic champion Tour de France stage winner and still the real holder of the hour record on their bike. Not as if he even makes up for that by being a great advocate for cycling. 🙂
Shimano 105 5800 Groupset
172.5mm-50x34-11-28 Black
Definitely this one. In black. 34/28 really is an easy gear. You might need a new BB though, think the Defy will be some sort of pressfit standard; new groupsets come with a threaded BB.
If there's the option of 170mm cranks; take it.
The frame I got on ebay never had the standard bb removed so i should be ok?
170mm is only available from them with 11-32
I really like the 32 on mine, not sure if I've actually used it but it's nice to know it's there. I just think of it as having a 10 speed 11-28 with the benefit of a oh dear I've ridden too far and my legs are shot bail out.I'm sub 55kg though so don't have a great deal of power for pushing the pedals round.
Last time I had a road bike it was 42/52 with a 14-28 five speed block. After 30 years without a road bike I don't find having widely spaced gears an issue, I'm pretty comfortable across a range of cadences.
You're in the 50t ring, can you shift all the way into the 32t without any difficulty?
Yes, you shouldn't of course, but you can
I love forums! few people say do one thing and you think yeah must be right then someone says the opposite lol
The giant comes out the shop with 50/35 11-32 and a 172.5mm crank so maybe I should go for that?
wheel wise are these good option for the money http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/79640/Vision_Team_30_Wheelset_7100016051441?gclid=CjwKEAiA9om3BRDpzvihsdGnhTwSJAAkSewLFcYYaUkLNWq4_nOaD_FTIcAp2cXYQdLaYprjutmnSBoCWQzw_wcB